NWSL increases roster size ahead of the 2019 season

The news was announced on Thursday ahead of the 2019 NWSL College Draft

BY Jacqueline Purdy January 10, 2019
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(Photo credit: Rob Gray/isiphotos.com)

On Thursday, the NWSL announced rule changes that increased the roster size, salary cap and permitted team assistance cap ahead of the 2019 NWSL season. The roster size will now be a minimum of 20 players and a maximum of 22 players, and there will now be four supplemental roster spots that will not count against the salary cap. The minimum and maximum salaries will also rise for the 2019 season.

More details below in the full news release from the NWSL:

NWSL INCREASES PLAYER COMPENSATION CAPS AND ROSTER SIZE FOR THE 2019 SEASON

CHICAGO (Jan. 10, 2019) – The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) announced today changes to the roster rules to increase roster size, Salary Cap and Permitted Team Assistance Cap ahead of the 2019 NWSL Season.

“This is an important step in the growth of the league,” said NWSL Managing Director Amanda Duffy. “In addition to these roster changes allowing the league and its teams to provide additional employment opportunities for more players plus additional benefits in connection with housing and auto, this marks the sixth consecutive season the Board of Directors has supported increased compensation.”

The NWSL senior rosters will expand to a minimum of 20 and a maximum of 22 players. In addition, the League has created four new supplemental roster spots that will allow teams to sign up to four additional players at the League minimum who will not count against the Salary Cap.

The NWSL Salary Cap will also be increasing to $421,500 for each NWSL club for the upcoming season including an increase of $54,000 for the two new spots. The minimum and maximum salary figures will be rising to $16,538 and $46,200, respectively.

In addition, the Permitted Team Assistance Cap has nearly doubled from the previous season, allowing teams to spend additional amounts through providing players assistance in the areas of housing and automobiles.